Not consulted on petrol hike, will hold protests: Trinamool

Alleging that it was not consulted before the petrol price hike, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) partner Trinamool Congress Sunday announced protest rallies and meetings across West Bengal to demand a rollback and steps to control the escalating cost of essentials.

It also demanded that meetings of the UPA constituents be held every three months to discuss important issues before they came in the public domain.

"The Trinamool has been neither consulted nor has any discussion been held as far as price rise of petrol is concerned," Trinamool's chief whip in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandopadhyay told media persons here.

Bandopadhyay complained that though his party chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here Saturday, the decision was not communicated to her.

"We think it is better to hold meetings of the partners before such decisions are announced. Such meetings can be held every three months. This can help sort out the hazards," he said.

Trinamool general secretary and leader of the opposition in the state assembly Partha Chatterjee demanded withdrawal of the increased prices.

He said the party would bring out protest rallies, hold demonstrations and organise street corner meetings across the state Monday and Tuesday against the petro rate hike and prise rise of essential commodities.

The party would also hold a protest rally in the city hub of Dharamtalla.